In this chapter Ikemefuna is introduce and we learn more about him. In the beginning of the chapter Okonkwo is at a meeting with all the other men. He insults one of the men and called him a woman. Nobody took his side, which I found very amusing. When Ikemefuna came into Okonkwo’s household he was very home sick for his mother and three year old sister and he was very afraid of what was going to happen to him. Then he did not want to eat anything so Okonkwo practically shoved it down his throat, which made Ikemefuna sick for three weeks. I felt that was very terrible of Okonkwo to do that too the poor boy he was already scared to death as it is. After the three terrible weeks were over though he seemed to be adapted to Okonkwo’s family. I found it very sweet how Ikemefuna ended up calling Okonkwo his father and they seemed to always be bonding together.
It was absurd how much Okonkwo flipped out when one of his wives were not home to make him his meal. He would not let it go and he got terribly angry. He beat her for goodness sakes just because she did not make his meal. The men depend on women for so much, but yet they treat them like slaves. She was over at plaiting her hair. What exactly does plait her hair mean? Is it like getting it cut or something? Okonkwo deserved getting in trouble for beating his wife during the peace week. Numerous people yelled him at for his evil deeds, which was very relieving that he got punished for it. It seems they do a lot of clearing brush for new farms in this book, which is pretty much how they make their living though I guess. Planting all them yams seems to be a lot of work. That would be a hard job to do every day. It would get so boring. I found it very humorous when Ikemefuna was talking about a few pieces of corn on the cob they called it "the teeth of an old woman." I had never really thought of it that way before, it is very amusing.
2 comments:
I think the way Okonkwo acts is absured too. I also think that plaiting hair, means getting it done. Like beading and stuff?
Ikemefuna is a really neat character. Happy go lucky, so unlike Okonkwo. Always smiling too. He works hard and gains Okonkwo's favor for this. I think Ikemefuna really tries to adapt "or else" and he does a good job fitting into his new tribe.
It seems Okonkwo (and other men of this tribe) do not pay women very much respect. This is a cultural acceptance, and it seems women are like 2nd class citizens. We still see a bit of this in the 21st century in Africa. Now you can see where it came from.
Digging for Yams is labor intensive, which I figure must be why its a "mans" crop. Women seem to have their own crops too, but yams seem to be the staple of life for the tribe.
Nice reflections in your posts. Keep them coming, you are doing quite well.
Mr.Farrell
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